Cranston Woman Honored at Fenway for Donating Blood

Kelly Sheehan of Cranston recently had the experience of a lifetime when she was honored on the field at Fenway Park prior to the Boston Red Sox game against the New York Yankees on May 2.

Sheehan was named the Blood Donor of the Game after recently donating blood with the American Red Cross.

Together with the Boston Red Sox and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Red Cross “is proud to honor lucky presenting donors through the Blood Donor of the Game program. Fans are invited to enter to win after volunteering to donate blood to help patients in need,” a press release stated.

“We are thrilled to honor Kelly Sheehan as one of our Blood Donors of the Game,” said Jeff Meyer, CEO, Massachusetts Blood Services Region “Thank you to Kelly and all of our other generous volunteer blood donors who roll up their sleeves to help ensure blood is available for patients in need.”

All presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives or donation centers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont will have the opportunity to enter to win the honor of becoming Blood Donor of the Game from now through the end of the 2015 regular baseball season. In addition to winning two tickets to a game at historic Fenway Park, the Blood Donor of the Game will be presented with a commemorative souvenir and will take part in a special onfield experience prior to the start of the game.

The Blood Donor of the Game program is a unique way for the Red Cross to thank volunteer blood donors during the spring and especially during the summer months. The need is particularly great during the summer, as traditionally, this is the most difficult time for the Red Cross to collect blood donations. The Red Cross collects approximately 20 percent of its blood from high school and college campuses; in the summer, school is out but the need remains.

For additional information about the Blood Donor of the Game program and information regarding donor eligibility please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.